By Naveed Miraj, Ahamd Mukhtar, Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan’s link with Pakistan can be the start of the process of “Connecting Continents”, with comprehensive historical, multi-pronged ties in nature and mutual need-based bonds.
Mangoes and kenos are the fruits produced in Pakistan having no match in Central Asia even anywhere in the world, whose trade can be the starter of the great joint venture that had been in the past.
This was stated by the Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin in a visit to the WE Islamabad office. He was briefed about the WE News, the first digital media of Pakistan focusing internationally.
He also said that NLC, TCS, and Faysal Movers, the local luxury bus service, which has also extended to China and now moving to consider its services to Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Their delegations had just finished their initial work and visit to Astana.
A recent convey of NLC has delivered goods to Astana. Though, the airlines service started and then saw a break due to seasonal factors.
However, these services indicate the flow of goods and services to and fro on both sides and can lead to a better future trade. A similar “QazTrade” Kazak company dealing in the logistics of goods has also shown its interest in extending its works in Pakistan.
“Things have gotten on to the right track and with mutual trade increasing, this cooperation can be extended to many areas of economic cooperation”, said the envoy.
Central Asia is landlocked, if CAR uses the Chinese route it takes two months, and if it uses Pakistani ports it takes 25 days max to reach Europe and less cost. This makes both sides extend cooperation with the least cost and a win-win situation for both.
Two thousand Pakistani students are studying in Kazakhstan and an Alumni association of Kazak universities has been set up in Pakistan. This collaboration in the field of education can be enhanced in the future too.
“This people-to-people contact is enhancing and with efforts, it can extend the teamwork into a solid ground for mutual benefits”, said Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin.
Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, with his vast experience in foreign missions like Brussels and Washington, has a very astute hand in diplomacy and is more than willing to extend mutual cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
Citing other areas, he discussed energy as another area where rich in energy Central Asian nations can help their Pakistani friends in times of need when Pakistan is facing an economic crisis.
The recent visit of David Cameron British Foreign Secretary to Central Asia was an indication of the rising Asia rather rising Central Asia, with vast resources and growing resources for trade and its swelling significance.
“60% of the Chinese trade with Europe is now routed through Kazakhstan, which is cheaper and less time-consuming”, stated Mr Yerzhan.
Though travel time from Karachi to Astana is 9 days to 2 weeks, which should be reduced and could be made more effective and less costly. The perishable items like mangoes and kenos can be traded easily.
In many central Asian states and cities now, international financial solutions like the Middle East have also opened in Astana, which can provide financial solutions within 15 minutes after any bank can apply for its facilitation. So, branchless banking has eased it up too. However, the National Bank of Pakistan has a branch in Astana, which needs to operate fully.
Sports diplomacy is also in focus now. Tennis Federation, Taekwondo, and Golf Associations have conducted recent visits to Astana. Long-term and solid foundations of games are being laid between both friendly nations.
Inter government’s 12th commission has held its session recently, which paved the way for mutual trade and cooperation. It needs to speed it cooperation from both sides.
Works of Al-Farabi and Abai are being translated into Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi, and Urdu, which would also help introduce both nations to another level in theology.
Al-Farabi whose 1150th birthday is celebrated in 2020 is little known in Pakistan and is a celebrated philosopher who connected the Orient and the West. Today his philosophy is more relevant than before to bridge the gap between the West and the Islamic World. Al-Farabi who was born in what is today Kazakhstan traveled across West Asia and in France, he is known as Alpharabius.
Ibrahim (Abai) Qunanbaiūly 10 August 1845 was a Kazakh poet, composer, and Hanafi Maturidi theologian philosopher. He was also a known cultural reformer of European and Russian cultures based on enlightened Islam. Among Kazakhs, he is simply known as Abai.
Based on these scholars known on both sides, a Kazakh-Urdu phrase dictionary is also being written, which soon would be available for both sides too. This literary work would lay the foundation for renewed work and collaboration.
The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yaswi, a distinguished Sufi master of the 12th century, is situated in southern Kazakhstan, in the northeastern section of the city of Turkestan (Yasi). Built between 1389 and 1405, by order of Timur (Tamerlane), the ruler of Central Asia, it replaced a smaller 12th-century mausoleum.
Lahore and Astana are also being considered to be declared as sister cities, which will also help improve the cultural ties between the two states. Then Mughal rules had great armies that were backed by Turkistan’s area, which is now the current area and city of Kazakhstan.
The acclaimed Kazakh historian and Director of the Scientific Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi of Kazakhstan, Zhaksylyk Sabitov, visited Pakistan in September 2023. His studies on the DNA test and history of Pak-Kazakh genes are very interesting. There had been Kazakh rulers who served over many decades in the provinces of Sindh.
